New law could speed up housing construction, Big Island bioenergy plant tries to strike deal with HECO, Keohokalole mulling challenging Case for Congress, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

New law aims to speed up local housing construction. In a bill-signing ceremony Wednesday, Gov. Josh Green enacted a reform to the state's Contractor Repair Act, which gives contractors and property owners the option to fix building issues without lawsuits. Hawaii Public Radio.

House’s New Money Man Talks About His Hopes For Changing The Legislature. Hawaiʻi State Rep. Chris Todd is taking over one of the key financial positions in the Hawaiʻi Legislature amid growing uncertainty about how federal budget cuts might affect the islands. Civil Beat.

Military’s role in immigration policy spurs debate. The Hawaii National Guard confirmed to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that 30 Hawaii guardsmen, members of a Hilo-based helicopter unit, are deployed to California as part of Task Force Sentinel, a military operation providing air support to the U.S. Border Patrol and other agencies. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaiʻi Braces For Cuts That Could Strip Medicaid From Tens Of Thousands. Community health clinics offer a window into how the state might be impacted by hundreds of millions of dollars in cuts expected in the coming years. Federal funds are about three quarters of the $3 billion Hawaiʻi spends on Medicaid each year. Civil Beat.

Cheaper solar energy in Hawaii threatened by new federal law.  Changes enacted July 4 under President Donald Trump’s domestic policy bill threaten to imperil several planned utility-scale solar farms and thousands of additional residential rooftop solar systems across the state by eliminating a 30% federal tax credit for such project costs much sooner than previously slated. Star-Advertiser.

School Smartphone Bans Reflect Growing Concern Over Mental Health, Academics. Hawaiʻi’s Legislature considered several bills aimed at banning smartphones in school but none of them passed. Civil Beat.

Keohokalole mulling challenging Case for Congress. State Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-­Kailua) may challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Ed Case to represent urban Honolulu in the 2026 midterm elections. Star-Advertiser.

UH awarded $1.5M to aid rural health disparities. The University of Hawaii has been awarded more than $1.5 million in private grant funding to strengthen rural health care systems and shape policy solutions across Hawaii and the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands, where residents face some of the most severe health challenges in the nation. Star-Advertiser.

Commentary: How The FBI Interfered In The Legislature And Let A Dirty Lawmaker Get Reelected. A new legal filing makes a compelling argument for why the public needs to be able to scrutinize federal law enforcement investigations. Civil Beat.

Oahu

Could this Hawaii community be the next Lahaina? Some residents fear a similar wildfire fate. Waianae and Lahaina have a lot in common. They’re both situated on parched western island coasts, with road access pinched by topography, and are bastions of Native Hawaiian culture. Associated Press.

Waikiki storm drainage system could fail by 2050. Researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa are sounding an alarm that by 2050 large rain events coupled with sea level rise could cause major failure of storm drainage across 70% of Waikiki. Star-Advertiser.

ʻEwa Developer Settles Marina Case For $40 Million. A 14-year legal battle over a disappeared marina in ʻEwa has finally ended. Civil Beat.

Nonprofits join to serve community at Opportunity Center in Kakaako. Goodwill Hawaii and Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawai‘i on Friday announced their recently opened Opportunity Center after hosting a Hawaiian blessing for the property, which they bought in December for $6.3 million from Hawaii State Federal Credit Union. Star-Advertiser.

Waimanalo Beach Park Campground named after George Mahoe Jr. The City and County of Honolulu officially renamed the campground at Waimanalo Beach Park after longtime city parks employee George Kea Mahoe Jr., following a ceremony held Thursday that recognized his more than 40 years of public service to Windward Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Honua Ola, HECO mull possible power deal. After numerous thwarted attempts to go online, a completed but long-idle bioenergy power plant in Pepeekeo is once again in contract negotiations to generate power and sell it to Hawaiian Electric Co. Tribune-Herald.

Hawai‘i County Police Commission to discuss appointment of interim chief. At its next meeting on July 18 in Kona, the Hawaiʻi County Police Commission will discuss the selection of an interim police chief to take over for Ben Moszkowicz, whose last day as chief is Aug. 31. The commission also will discuss the next steps to hiring a new chief. Big Island Now.

Banyan uproots and crashes onto Hilo’s Kilauea Avenue. A portion of Kilauea Avenue, a busy crosstown thoroughfare in Hilo, remained closed Sunday after a massive banyan tree near the corner of Aupuni Street uprooted, toppled and crashed Saturday afternoon. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Video News.  Big Island Now.

Parking lot expansion underway at Kona’s hospital. Parking lot expansion, resurfacing and paving at Kona Community Hospital will begin Tuesday and continue through mid-October, the hospital announced Friday. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

New ownership unlikely to quench conflict over Maui water. A kamaaina company that once operated the biggest sugar plantation in Hawaii has surrendered its interest in a historic water system on Maui after a decade of litigation over state allocations of the public trust resource. Star-Advertiser.

Homeless community at Amala Place must leave by next week, Maui County says. Some 40 unhoused people who received notices to vacate from Maui County, nearly four years after county and state officials forced everyone to leave the area in a sweep that the courts later ruled had violated residents’ rights. Maui Now.

Kahului pump prices steady. According to the latest AAA Hawaii weekend gas watch, as of July 10, the average price in Kahului was $4.48, which is one cent less than last week and 25 cents lower than the price was a year ago. Maui News.

For these Maui paniolo, an annual rodeo is about more than wins — it's about tradition. Thousands of fans cheered as announcer Rob Smets welcomed the crowd at the Fourth of July Makawao Stampede on Maui. It’s Hawaiʻi’s largest rodeo — and a tradition that’s been going strong for almost 65 years. Hawaii Public Radio.

Kauai

Social security to school supplies for Congresswoman Jill Tokuda. Tokuda’s trip was added to as the Kauai County Farm Bureau General Membership Meeting had Tokuda talking about the cut in SNAP benefits and how that impacted farmers by eliminating opportunities to provide for the SNAP program. Earlier, the congresswoman opened her Kauai tour with a stop at the Back to School Bash taking place at the Kukui Grove Shopping Center where 2,500 backpacks of school supplies were distributed to elementary, middle and high school students. Garden Island.

Part of county parking lot in Nāwiliwili to be closed until further notice starting July 15. Kaua‘i County Department of Parks and Recreation notifies the public that a portion of the county parking lot in Nāwiliwili — adjacent to Anchor Cove — will be closed until further notice beginning July 15. Kauai Now.

Residents tackle excessive traffic, other issues near trailhead to Ho’opi’i Falls in Kapaʻa. Every day, carloads of mostly tourists drive down the narrow, one-lane, dead-end Kapahi Road in search of the trailhead in Kapaʻa that leads to Hoʻopiʻi Falls, a location used in the 1993 blockbuster Jurassic Park. Kauai Now.

Bill to disburse $50M to nonprofits may be unconstitutional, Noem claims Lahaina fire victims traded sex for food, Native Hawaiian man faces longer prison term for white hate crime, Big Island police chief loses job after seeking Honolulu post, UH scientists predict Waikiki drainage system will fail by 2050, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Lawmakers’ Plan To Give $50M To Nonprofits May Be Unconstitutional. Legislators passed a bill late last session to dole out the money to help organizations hit with federal budget cuts. A key difference is that a committee of four lawmakers, two senators appointed by Senate President Ron Kouchi and two representatives appointed by House Speaker Nadine Nakamura, will decide which organizations receive funds. None of those meetings will be open to the public. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio. 

Last bills passed by Hawaii lawmakers now law. Gov. Josh Green signed six bills Wednesday to cap off decisions on 322 measures sent to him by lawmakers during the legislative session that ran from Jan. 15 to May 2. Of the 322 bills, Green signed 307 and let one become law without his signature. He also vetoed eight bills.  And Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke signed five bills as acting governor. Star-Advertiser.

Leaders decry cuts threatening isles’ safety net. On a sweltering Thursday afternoon, against the backdrop of Honolulu’s Prince Kuhio Federal Building, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda stood before a coalition of advocates, parents and community leaders with a clear and urgent message: the newly passed federal legislation is a direct “assault” on Hawaii’s working families. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.

Hawaiʻi Energy rolls out new rebates to promote energy efficiency. Residents of Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu, and Maui County can get money back on appliances like solar water heaters, energy-efficient AC units, and new Energy Star-certified refrigerators. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

UH study predicts Waikīkī drainage systems will fail by 2050. The study's authors, Chloe Obara and Chip Fletcher, predict that defective drains, rising sea levels, and higher rainfall could result in severe flooding throughout the major tourist city. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Parking Will Be Banned In Lanikai Loop To End Beachgoer Gridlock. The city’s plan to quell Lanikai’s traffic nightmare involves no parking on the main loop and more bike racks and buses. Civil Beat. KHON2.

Families and students protest loss of Punana Leo classroom. A decision by the state Department of Education to reclaim one of Punana Leo o Ko‘olaupoko’s preschool classrooms on the campus of Pu‘ohala Elementary School in Kaneohe has sparked a wave of frustration and protest from families, students and lawmakers. Supporters of the school’s thriving Hawaiian language immersion program say the move threatens to weaken a fragile educational pipeline that begins in preschool and continues through grade 12. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu police to host gun buyback event in Wahiawa. The agencies will give participants $100 gift cards for handguns, rifles, shotguns, bump stocks, and Glock switches; and $200 gift cards for automatic firearms of any type, semi-automatic rifles, and ghost guns, according to an HPD news release. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Big Island Police Chief Forced Out After Trying To Withdraw Resignation. Hawaiʻi County police commissioners said Chief Benjamin Moszkowicz had lost trust with the community after prematurely submitting his resignation and expressing interest in the Honolulu interim chief job. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.  Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

‘I’m deeply saddened.’ Honolulu mayor addresses Hawaii County police chief’s departure, defends recommendation. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said he was acting in the best interest of the Honolulu Police Department when he recommended last month that Hawaii County Police Chief Ben Moszkowicz serve as HPD’s interim chief. Hawaii News Now.

Trust at risk? ACLU, community sound alarm on local law enforcement assisting ICE in Hawaii . Community members, like those speaking before the Hawaii County Police Commission on July 10, are sounding the alarm over fears of an agreement between Hawaii County’s police departments and federal immigration agencies, specifically ICE and Homeland Security Investigations. KHON2.

Revitalize Puna event this Saturday will focus on community disaster preparedness and recovery updates. Hawaii County invites the community to the next Revitalize Puna event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the William “Billy” Kenoi District Park Gym in Pahoa. Tribune-Herald.

Maui
 
Top Trump Official Made A Startling Lahaina Fire Claim. There’s More To It. While presiding over a FEMA Review Council meeting on Wednesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem cited an eyebrow-raising statistic: 1 in 6 survivors of the deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire on Maui exchanged sexual favors for basic supplies. Civil Beat. Hawaii Public Radio.

Native Hawaiian man faces longer prison term for hate crime against white man. A Native Hawaiian man who was convicted of a hate crime against a white man must be re-sentenced, a U.S. appeals court ruled Thursday, and the result could be several more years in prison. The jury found that Alo-Kaonohi and Levi Aki Jr. were motivated by Christopher Kunzelman’s race when they punched, kicked and used a shovel to beat him in 2014 for trying to move into their remote Maui village.  Associated Press.

State says cell service along Hana Highway in East Maui is coming. There are emergency roadside call boxes along the 52-mile route famously known as the Road to Hana. But none are working. Hawaii News Now.

Energy leaders convene on Maui to tackle tough challenges, offer real solutions. The 12th Annual Hawaiʻi Energy Conference, held May 21–22 on Maui, brought together 365 energy leaders, policymakers, innovators and community advocates to explore actionable strategies for Hawaiʻi’s transition to a clean energy future. Maui Now.

State, county monitor air quality fire during debris transfer. Air quality is being monitored and precautions are being taken to ensure the public’s safety as trucks carrying Lahaina wildfire debris move from West Maui to the Central Maui Landfill, according to Maui County and state health officials. Maui News.

Kauai

Scholarships passed at Mayor’s Luncheon. The Kauai Chamber of Commerce got help from Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami and other dignitaries in presenting $10,000 to five students during the 11th Mayor’s Luncheon at the Royal Sonesta Kauai Resort. Garden Island.

Tokuda raises hurricane concerns, Honolulu inflation among worst in the nation, ethics remains a concern in county government, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hurricane concerns for isles increase after federal cuts. Hawaii’s hurricane outlook calls for a below-normal season, but ongoing cuts to the federal government have U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda concerned about the state’s ability to both predict the weather and respond if a hurricane hits the islands. Star-Advertiser.

Some Hawaiʻi Counties Are Shortchanging Efforts To Keep Government Ethical. Experts agree full-time staff support is essential to the success of the neighbor island boards, but only Maui is taking that step. Civil Beat.

UH board to vote on president’s athletics director pick. The University of Hawaii’s President Wendy Hensel picked Matt Elliot to lead the athletics department, now it’s up for approval at the UH Board of Regents meeting. Hawaii News Now.

Oahu

Report: Honolulu Inflation Among Worst In Nation. It’s a mixed bag. Inflation on Oʻahu ticked up very slightly in May and was higher than the nationwide rate, but continued an overall decline. Civil Beat.

City seeks developer for Iwilei transit-oriented housing. A master planning effort to potentially transform about 80 acres along Honolulu’s over $10-billion rail line into mixed-use, transit- oriented development is underway, city officials say. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

An Embarrassing Housing Scam Triggers Big Island Reforms. A dishonest public worker and his partners slurped up millions of dollars by illegally manipulating a complex system of affordable housing credits. Civil Beat.

Goal of new partnership of hospitals: More specialty doctors for Big Island, fewer medical trips to Oʻahu. To alleviate the increasingly unmanageable workload, a shared workforce agreement was entered into at the beginning of June by Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation’s West Hawaiʻi Region, The Queen’s Health Systems on O‘ahu and Aliʻi Health Center in Kona. Big Island Now.

The Food Basket distributes $700,000 to dozens of Big Island ag operations. The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island has distributed around $700,000 in grants to over 30 island producers in an effort to promote local farming and improve food security. Hawaii Public Radio.

Ali‘i Drive to return to two-way traffic by Monday. The Hawaii County pilot program created 46 additional free parking stalls in the south-bound lane of that busy section of roadway. The program concluded after measuring the community’s feedback about the one-lane traffic pattern for more than 30 days. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Drones drop mosquitoes over Maui to save honeycreepers. Conservationists working to save Hawaii’s endangered, native birds are now using drones to deliver lab-reared, male mosquitoes over Maui. Star-Advertiser.

As Maui County farmers and ranchers grow old, younger replacements are desperately being sought. An aging farming community drastically needs to develop younger farmers to be able to take over the food production. Farms are not being handed down generation to generation as much as in the past. Maui Now.

Maui Wildfire Debris Is On The Move Again. What Happens Next? Maui County officials are still discussing the future use of the Olowalu site where wildfire debris is being temporarily stored. Civil Beat.

Former pineapple plantation operator in Hawaii embracing agave as new crop.  Maui Land & Pineapple Co. is ramping up plans to establish an agave tequilana farm on the Valley Isle. Star-Advertiser.

South Maui brush fire scorches 500 acres. A quick-spreading brush fire fueled by strong winds in Kahikinui scorched 500 acres of South Maui land Sunday, but no injuries or structural damages have been reported, according to the Maui Fire Department. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Kauai

Investigators: High Winds, Rotor Flap Caused Fatal Kauaʻi Helicopter Crash. Three people died during an air tour over the Nāpali Coast in July 2024. Investigators attributed the accident to weather and a known weakness in the model of the helicopter. Civil Beat.

Princeville Public Library reopens today after closing for nearly 20 months for renovations. The project included replacing the air conditioning, repainting, re-flooring, and making structural improvements to both the interior and exterior of the building. Kauai Now.

Gov. Green tries conciliatory approach with Trump, state officials to see 40% raises, Honolulu leaders get misdemeanor sentences in plea deal, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Green looks for common ground with Trump to help Hawaii. Gov. Josh Green said he has chosen a more conciliatory, collaborative approach with President Donald Trump if it means preserving as much federal support for Hawaii as possible. Star-Advertiser.

Local hiring initiative for impacted federal workers has received over 800 applications. The state has received 827 applications as part of Gov. Josh Green's Operation Hire Hawaiʻi initiative. He issued an emergency proclamation to tap into the pool of laid-off federal workers and fill over 4,000 open positions in state government.  Hawaii Public Radio.

U.S. Rep. Tokuda documenting fallout of federal firings. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda remains alarmed over ongoing job cuts among Hawaii-­based federal workers, which could lead to more workers leaving the islands while residents lose access to federal services they rely on. Star-Advertiser.

 Salary Commission Approves Hefty Raises For Legislators, State Officials. The raises automatically take effect on July 1 unless lawmakers reject them. The salary commission’s original draft proposal called for 50 to 60 percent raises over a six year period but after objections by the governor and public criticism, the commission lowered it to about 40 percent. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiʻi Legislature: Green Fee, New Taxes, Fireworks Enforcement Move Ahead. As the Legislature reaches the halfway mark, the House killed a bill to remove vaccine exemptions for schoolchildren while the Senate approved creating an illegal fireworks enforcement division. Civil Beat.

Hawaiʻi election commissioners could require Senate approval. Hawaiʻi election commissioners may be required to be approved by the Senate. That’s if a bill going through the Legislature passes. Hawaii Public Radio.

Federal cuts could impact Hawaiʻi's ability to keep the brown tree snake away. The impact of the snake on Hawaiʻi’s economy could be anywhere from $593 million to $2.14 billion annually. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Corruption probe ends with misdemeanor sentences. Former Corporation Counsel Donna Yuk Lan Leong, 69, ex-Honolulu Police Commission Chair Max John Sword, 73, and then-Mayor Kirk Caldwell’s Managing Director Roy Keiji Amemiya Jr., 69, conspired “in their official capacities as Honolulu city officials to reach a settlement agreement” for former Honolulu Police Chief Louis Kealoha while he was the target of a federal public corruption investigation and being actively followed by agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.  KITV4.  Civil Beat.

Honolulu Hasn’t Prosecuted A Single Ghost Gun Case Since 2020 Ban. Police are seeing an uptick in ghost guns but Hawaiʻi counties differ in how they interpret and use a state law meant to deter people from buying or manufacturing untraceable weapons. Civil Beat.

Former Hawaii prison guard pleads guilty to sexually assaulting inmates. On Monday, March 3, 2025, 47-year-old Mikael Rivera from Kapolei, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of inmates under his custody or control. Rivera was a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu from 2014 to 2018. KITV4.

Hawaii protesters hold another rally against Trump, Musk policies. More than 100 protesters showed up at noon Tuesday in front of the state Capitol in Honolulu to speak out against President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and their policies. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Downtown Hilo post office, HVO site among possible federal cuts. The U.S. General Services Administration on Tuesday published a list of buildings and facilities deemed “not core to government operations, or non-core properties” that have been designated for possible sale or closure. The list — more than 400 entries long — includes the historic Federal Building, U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in downtown Hilo on Waianuenue Avenue. Tribune-Herald. Big Island Now.

Power plant plan raises concerns: Proposed 60-megawatt facility would be built in Pana‘ewa. The Alahao Renewable Energy Project would develop a 12-acre parcel — owned by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands — on Railroad Avenue just north of Kukila Street into an energy plant capable of adding up to 60 megawatts of power to the Hawaiian Electric grid on the Big Island. Tribune-Herald.

Morgue plan irks residents: Work already has started on temporary storage facility. About three dozen members of the public learned Monday night at a community meeting at Aupuni Center called by the Hawaii Police Department that construction of a temporary morgue started about two weeks ago adjacent to the as yet-unopened call center for police and fire dispatchers in Hilo — and that didn’t sit well with most who spoke. Tribune-Herald.

Adult coconut rhinoceros beetles found in Kona. A pair of adult coconut rhinoceros beetles were found Monday and Tuesday in Kailua-Kona. West Hawaii Today. Hawaii News Now.

In the Hakalau Forest on Hawaiʻi Island, these birders of a feather flock together. The wildlife refuge is hailed as a great success story where the habitat of Hawaiʻi's endangered birds has been restored, and the birds are thriving. Hawaii Public Radio. Hawaii News Now.

Maui

Lahaina Energy Partnership invites public to third co-design workshop, March 11. The Lahaina Energy Partnership (LEP) hosts its third public co-design workshop as a part of an ongoing effort to develop a community-driven energy future for Lahaina. Maui Now.

‘Safe parking’: A 2024 study reports favorable outcomes in curbing homelessness. In Maui County, there were 5,899 people counted as unhoused in 2024, including those who lost their homes because of the 2023 wildfires and were staying in disaster-response shelters, according to the recently released “Recommendations to Address Homelessness in Maui County.” Maui Now.

UH President Wendy Hensel visits UH Maui College. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel visited UH Maui College on Monday, March 3, as part of her statewide tour of 10 UH campuses and five education centers within her first 90 days in office. Maui Now.


Kauai

Homeless Program Grant recipients announced. Of the nine proposals received, seven were eligible for consideration. A selection committee reviewed and scored all the eligible projects and selected the top six proposals to fund for $500,000. Garden Island.

Upgraded imaging at Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital. Equipment in the newly renovated Imaging Department at the Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital has already been used, and the Monday blessing of the Department took place in between patients. Garden Island.

Tokuda out-raises Case for campaign funds, Cessna crash kills two near Honolulu airport, Kilauea activity increases, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

In Hawai‘i Congressional Fundraising, Tokuda Far Outraised Case. The first-term U.S. representative received most of her donations from individual donors while her veteran colleague was supported by PACs. Rep. Jill Tokuda, a first-term Democrat, outraised veteran Hawai‘i congressman Ed Case in the current election cycle, even though she refused to accept contributions from most political action committees tied to corporations. Civil Beat.

Gov. Green’s budget keeps ‘rainy day fund’ at $1.5 billion. Gov. Josh Green’s proposed state budget calls for no increase to the state’s $1.5 billion rainy day fund, but Green does want to dedicate all of the estimated $66 million in annual interest to help Hawaii address the effects of climate change and prevent future wildfires, according to the state Department of Budget and Finance. The Star-Advertiser incorrectly reported Tuesday that Green wants to increase the amount of the  fund. Star-Advertiser.

Community still has limited understanding of HECO's Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Hawaiian Electric monitored weather conditions during a red flag warning last week in case it needed to activate its Public Safety Power Shutoff program. Hawaii Public Radio.

Hawaiʻi peace activist banned from South Korea again. Just last month Hawaiʻi resident and peace activist Christine Ahn was banned from entering South Korea. It was the second time her activism put her on a do-not-travel list.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Wind Turbines Set To Come Down, Threatening Hawaiʻi Renewable Energy Goals. Kahuku's wind turbines, which irked neighbors, will have to come down at the end of their 20-year contracts after a Honolulu City Council decision last week. Civil Beat.

City council votes to reconvene Oʻahu's agricultural task force. The Honolulu City Council has voted to restore an agricultural task force — and stakeholders say it’ll help keep city policymakers informed about the needs of Oʻahu farmers. Hawaii Public Radio.

2 killed in plane crash near Honolulu airport. Two Kamaka Air pilots on an afternoon training mission died Tuesday when they lost control of their single-turboprop Cessna Caravan and crashed into an abandoned building near Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.  KITV4.

Prison officials were warned murdered inmate was in danger. Raita Fukusaku, who was convicted in the death of a celebrity Japanese psychic, had been complaining he was in danger for more than five years.After 25 years in custody, Fukusaku was returned to Halawa Correctional Facility from a mainland prison in 2019 because of his advancing cancer. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii  Island

New County Council meets today, plans to work closely with Alameda. The reshuffled Hawaii County Council hopes to improve its relationships with the new county administration to get things done faster. Tribune-Herald.

Scientists To Switch To Daily Volcano Updates As Kilauea Activity Increases. Kīlauea volcano is not erupting. Although the USGS Volcano Alert Level remains at ADVISORY, the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory says an uptick in unrest at the summit has prompted scientists to switch from providing weekly Kilauea updates to daily updates. Big Island Video News.

Tsunami museum in trouble: Downtown Hilo site closes due to financial woes; staff laid off. The Pacific Tsunami Museum is in dire financial straits, and its organizers hope the community will step up and help it navigate out of troubled waters. Tribune-Herald. Hawaii News Now.

Kuawa Street homeless camp closes. A Hawaii County homeless shelter established near Mamalahoa Highway in July has been disbanded. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui is poised for $1.6B in federal funding to rebuild Lahaina. The U.S. Senate has tentatively agreed to $12 billion to respond to disasters across the country, including $1.6 billion to help Maui rebuild following the 2023 wildfires, U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz said Tuesday. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Maui ranked No. 3 as best place to visit in USA by US News & World Report. Maui comes after No. 1 Glacier National Park in Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. Maui Now.

Lahaina could become first National Heritage Area in Hawaii. Both the U.S. Senate and House passed the Lahaina National Heritage Area Study Act this month. Hawaii News Now.The bill directs the National Park Service — in coordination with Maui County and other local partners — to study the feasibility and suitability of a National Heritage Area designation for Lahaina. Hawaii News Now.

Lahaina Disaster Recovery Community Meetings to be paused during the holiday season. The County of Maui’s weekly Lahaina Disaster Recovery Community Meetings will be paused during the holidays. The next in-person meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, at Lahaina Intermediate School cafeteria. Maui Now.

Kauai

Kapaʻa High School students get head start on college through Chaminade University program. High school juniors and seniors at Kapaʻa High School, along with students from Sacred Hearts Academy and Saint Louis School on Oʻahu, can apply for the Chaminade University Early College program to earn college credit while still in high school. Kauai Now.

Selection process for judges on November ballot, Honolulu Emergency Management director resigns, new plan tackles misinformation during volcanic eruptions, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Proposed Ballot Question Would Streamline Selection Of Judges And Justices. Hawaii voters will be asked to consider a proposed constitutional amendment on the Nov. 5 ballot aimed at clearing up the process of nominating state judges and justices so that it is more efficient and uniform. Civil Beat.

Hawaii condo owners starting to feel insurance rates increase. Many condo and townhouse owners are starting to pay up for the increased maintenance fees due to skyrocketing insurance costs. KHON2.

‘Stranded’: Hawaii parents frustrated over school bus shortage. More than a month into the school year and the school bus shortage still has not been resolved. Hawaii News Now.

Tokuda reads names of Maui victims into Congressional record. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda used her 5-minute opportunity to address the House today by honoring the 102 victims and the two people missing from the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires by reading all of their names into the Congressional record. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now. KHON2.

Oahu

City's top Emergency Management Official resigns for role in California. Hiro Toiya, who serves as Director of the city's Emergency Management Department, is stepping down and leaving for a new job in Northern California. KITV4.

Council OKs $3M flood study of Wailupe Stream. The Wailupe Stream is the last major valley stream in East Honolulu that’s not fully lined with concrete — one of 10 such streams that drains its watershed into the roughly 7-mile-long Maunalua Bay. Star-Advertiser.

This Mililani Company Packages Salt From The Mainland And Sells It As Hawaiian. Is That Cheating? Hawaii's commercial salt producers say bulk salt shipped in from elsewhere and sold as 'Made in Hawaii' is hurting their business. Civil Beat.

Deadline nears to apply for Oʻahu property tax exemption. The City and County of Honolulu is offering significant property tax relief this year, but homeowners have to apply by the end of the month.  Hawaii Public Radio.

Despite 2021 threat, police chose not to arrest suspect accused in deadly Waianae shooting. The man who shot five neighbors and killed three of them threatened the family three years before — but was not arrested. Hawaii News Now.

Kapiolani hospital and nurses union set to meet in last ditch effort to avoid strike. There’s a last ditch effort to avoid a potential strike Friday and a rare lockout of hundreds of nurses at Kapiolani Medical Center. Both sides are set to meet Thursday and part of the issue is claims of retaliation over complaints about unsafe staffing. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Nearly three-month closure lifted after landslide on Tantalus Drive. After rocks, mud and trees came tumbling down nearly 3 months ago, Tantalus Drive is now back open.The City closed the section of the road just before it turns into Round Top Drive on June 25. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Island

Hawaii County Charter Proposal Would Fill Some Council Vacancies Quicker. The ballot measure would allow a candidate who wins a seat in the primary to take office early when there is a vacancy. Civil Beat.

New interagency plan tackles misinformation during volcanic eruptions. When an eruption occurs on Hawaiʻi Island, a coordinated team from the U.S. Geological Survey’s Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Agency, and Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park quickly assembles to respond. Hawaii Public Radio.

Work to reconstruct section of Highway 137 in lower Puna will begin later this month. Hawaii County announced Tuesday it’s ready to reconstruct a 3.64-mile section of Highway 137 in lower Puna, between the makai end of Pohoiki Road and the intersection of Highway 132 — also known as “Four Corners.” Tribune-Herald.

Maui

Maui Whistleblower Lawsuit Could Cost Taxpayers Up To $450,000. Former mayoral aide Chris Salem, who was fired, alleges a range of wrongful behavior by county officials in a lawsuit filed three years ago. A Maui County Council committee has voted in favor of paying as much as $450,000 to a Honolulu law firm to defend the county against allegations of wrongful termination and government corruption by a former mayoral aide. Civil Beat.

Baldwin Beach Park finally collapses. What now? Community members await dune restoration efforts at Baldwin Beach Park after collapsed pavilion. Maui News.

Maui community invited to review nearshore management proposal. Maui residents are encouraged to attend one of three upcoming information exchange sessions to provide feedback on managing Maui’s nearshore waters.  Maui News.

Kauai

Renovations to refuse transfer stations to begin starting with Līhu‘e location. The work is part of the Island-wide Refuse Transfer Station Improvements project, which also targets stations in Hanalei, Kapa‘a and Hanapēpē. Lihue Refuse Transfer Station shuttered for renovations. During the renovation work, the Lihue RTS will be closed from Sept. 11 to Nov. 2. Garden Island. Kauai Now.

Entire Kalalau Trail section closed. The closure could last until at least Sept. 19. In the meantime, the Kalalau Trailhead will be manned by law enforcement personnel 24 hours a day, seven days a week to prevent entrance onto the popular trail. Garden Island.

House Speaker Saiki loses re-election bid, Honolulu Mayor Blangiardi cruises to easy victory, Big Island mayor's race heads to runoff, more primary election news and ballot report links from all the Hawaiian Islands

House Speaker Saiki loses close House race. Former state Board of Education member Kim Coco Iwamoto edged out House Speaker Scott Saiki with 2,649 votes, compared to Saiki's 2,395 on the final certified report released by the state Office of Elections on Sunday morning. Both are Democrats, and there is no other contender in the contest for the District 25 seat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

Many Hawaii Legislators Will Return To The Capitol This Year, But There Are Surprises. House Speaker Scott Saiki was trailing his challenger while veteran former lawmaker Clayton Hee looked to be losing his North Shore race. Civil Beat.

 Inouye, Lee Loy cruise to easy wins. State Sen. Lorraine Inouye once again defeated challenger Laura Acasio in the Democratic Primary Election Saturday night. Tribune-Herald.

Incumbents Hirono, Case, Tokuda cruise to Democratic primary victories. Three-fourths of Hawaii’s congressional delegation easily moved past their primary opponents today and onto the General Election ballot in November. U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, Reps. Jill Tokuda and Ed Case all topped their respective Democratic tickets. The second tally of results by the state Office of Elections representing a large majority of votes cast showed Hirono with nearly 91% of the party vote, while Case was cruising with 92% and Tokuda capturing a solid 100% running unopposed.  Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaii Sen. Mazie Hirono wins Democratic primary for third term, will face McDermott in general. Hirono won a three-way race against Ron Curtis and Clyde McClain Lewman. Associated Press.

Familiar names dominate OHA trustee races in early results. Incumbent Kelii Akina, who has served as trustee since 2016, held a nearly 7,500-vote lead with 36,270 (26.3%), over Ahu Isa, who had 28,753 (20.8%) Saturday night. The two top candidates will go on to the general election. Star-Advertiser.

Former Congressman Poised To Win Seat On OHA Board Of Trustees. Kai Kahele appears poised to make a return to politics as an Office of Hawaiian Affairs trustee for the Big Island.  Voters chose candidates for three seats on the Office of Hawaiian Affairs to face off in November. A fourth seat representing Kauai only had two candidates and will be on the general election ballot automatically. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for the state of Hawaii can be found here.

Oahu

Mayor Blangiardi handily beats challengers in re-election bid. As predicted by many political pundits and interested observers, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi handily beat his challengers Saturday evening. In the second set of results posted after 10:30 p.m., the 77-year-old retired media executive took nearly 79% of the vote — or 116,039 votes — to secure the city’s top elective office for another four years. Civil Beat. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now. KHON2. KITV4.

Certified ballot report for Oahu can be found here.

Hawaii Island

Runoff in mayor’s race: Roth, Alameda to face off in November. Many veteran observers of local politics thought the Primary Election mayoral race would spawn a runoff in the General Election on Nov. 5 between incumbent Mitch Roth and challenger Kimo Alameda — and that’s what happened. Tribune-Herald. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat. Big Island Now. Hawaii News Now. KHON2.

5 Hawai‘i County Council races headed for a runoff in general election, preliminary reports show. Five of the nine Hawai‘i County Council seats are headed for runoffs in the Nov. 5 general election, according to preliminary primary election results posted late Saturday by the state Office of Elections. Big Island Now.

Kagiwada, Kimball retain council seats; Onishi appears to avoid runoff. Three of the council’s five windward members had contested races on Saturday: Heather Kimball of District 1, covering North Hilo, Hamakua and portions of Waimea; Jenn Kagiwada of District 2, including Hilo and parts of South Hilo; and Matt Kaneali‘i-Kleinfelder of District 5, encompassing Upper Puna and portions of Keaau. Tribune-Herald.

Three council incumbents retain seats in W. Hawaii. Of the four Hawaii County Council Primary Election races in West Hawaii, three incumbents won their seats outright Saturday night, while a fourth race will go to a General Election runoff on Nov. 5. The race to be decided in November will be for representation of Council District 9, which encompasses North Kohala and parts of Waimea and Waikoloa. Tribune-Herald.

Certified ballot report for Hawaii Island can be found here.

Maui

Maui County Council Incumbents Are Cruising On To The General Election. Former three-term Maui County Council member Kelly King was trailing incumbent Tom Cook in her effort to reclaim the South Maui seat, according to preliminary results in Saturday’s primary election. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for Maui can be found here.

Kauai

Kauai Council Incumbents Advancing To General Election. Kauai County voters were favoring incumbent council members, who mostly led the pack of 17 candidates vying for the seven seats on the council in the first round of primary election returns Saturday. Civil Beat.

Certified ballot report for Kauai can be found here.

Tokuda, Case keep congressional focus on Maui, Hawaii GOP caucus set for March 12, DOH contracts for new COVID call center, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

U.S. Rep. Tokuda requests moment of silence for Maui on House floor. U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda on Tuesday, along with fellow U.S. Rep. Ed Case, stood on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives and asked for a moment of silence. Hawaii's congressional delegation wants to keep focus on the Aug. 8 wildfires to ensure that federal resources continue to flow to the state. Star-Advertiser. Civil Beat.

Hawaii GOP Sets Presidential Caucus For March 12. That's a week after Super Tuesday, one of the biggest voting days in next year's election cycle. Civil Beat.

Former Land Board Chair To Lead New UH Conservation Office. Suzanne Case served two terms as director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Civil Beat.

Planned reopening of West Maui tourism stirs concern. Gov. Josh Green said nearly 7,300 people are staying in 32 hotels across West Maui, and those hotels are set to reopen to tourism in less than four weeks. Some say it’s too soon, but state leaders say it’s the right time. Hawaii News Now.

Lawmakers take closer look at existing rules for management of dry brush. Dry brush and unmanaged vegetation can be the worst enemy for firefighting. KHON2.

HECO indicates it could turn to ratepayers to help cover extensive fire rebuilding costs. Hawaiian Electric may be asking customers to pay for damage and recovery from the Maui wildfires — even though many say HECO is to blame. Hawaii News Now.

Hawaiian Electric Posted “working closely” with EOC, then crews blocked lanes. KITV4 is learning more about the communication failures of August 8th, during the afternoon self-evacuation of Lahaina.  KITV4.

DOH awards $415K contract for new COVID surveillance call center. The $415,000 contract has been awarded to market researcher Omnitrak Group, which will be tasked with calling individuals who test positive for coronavirus. KHON2.

Hawaiʻi health care workers can now receive up to $50K a year to pay student loans. The Hawaiʻi Education Loan Repayment Program, or HELP, aims to tackle the state's physician shortage as it's grown from several hundred to above 1,000 over the last decade. Hawaii Public Radio.

Oahu

Resignations continue at liquor commission as Honolulu mayor hopes for ‘new beginning’. The newest chair of the Liquor Commission is just eight months into his role as chair but has already announced he will be leaving in the coming months. Hawaii News Now.

Honolulu EMTs, Paramedics Sue The City For Overtime. A lawsuit filed a decade ago got the Emergency Services Department to update its payroll system, but that hasn't fixed the problem. Civil Beat.

HPD pursuit policy ‘defective,’ lawsuit alleges. The family of a teen permanently injured in a September 2021 Makaha car chase by Honolulu Police Department officers has filed a federal lawsuit alleging the HPD’s pursuit policy is defective. Star-Advertiser. Hawaii News Now.

Defueling Red Hill won’t hurt readiness, Pentagon says. The Pentagon has officially told Congress that military operations in the Pacific will not be adversely affected by the closure of the Navy’s underground Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility. Star-Advertiser.

Honolulu Has A Hiring Problem. Here’s What That Means For Fire Mitigation Efforts. While city-owned land makes up a relatively small portion of Oahu, groundskeepers need to be strategically redeployed to stave off wildfires. Civil Beat.

Hawaii Island

Vog returns to Kona with Kilauea’s current eruption.  Volcanic smog, or “vog,” filled West Hawaii’s skies Tuesday, obliterating views of Hualalai and blurring the horizon, as Kilauea volcano continued to erupt for a third day, pumping out thousands of tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which reacts with the atmosphere and creates the visible haze. West Hawaii Today. Associated Press.

An arid August. Hilo International Airport received 5.35 inches of rain in August, almost half of its norm of 11.3 inches for the month. Despite that, most windward Big Island areas remain verdant. Tribune-Herald.

Governor releases $500,000 in capital improvement project funds for Waimea schools.  A master plan will be the first step in outlining a strategy to make full use of the campus, which encompasses Waimea Elementary and Middles Schools. Big Island Now.

New Superintendent Selected For Kona National Historical Parks.  Paul Scolari has been chosen to serve as the superintendent of Kaloko-Honokōhau and Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Parks. Big Island Video News. Big Island Now.

Maui

As temporary housing deadlines approach, officials look at long-term solutions on Maui. About 2,000 homes in Lāhainā were lost in the Maui wildfires, displacing thousands of individuals. Survivors of the Maui wildfires have until this Friday to sign up for temporary housing through the American Red Cross. Hawaii Public Radio.

Lahaina Businesses Hoping To Reopen Face Daunting Challenges. From unsafe water to uncertainty over future earnings, obstacles line the path of recovery for businesses in and around the burn zone. Civil Beat.

Recovery in Maui’s Upcountry slow as fires still burn.  More than a month after a series of destructive wildfires that decimated much of the historic town of Lahaina and a number of homes in the Upcountry community of Kula, many residents are still being advised not to drink or bathe with water from systems that officials say were damaged and contaminated during the fires. Star-Advertiser.

County amends Unsafe Water Advisory for part of Upper Kula.  Water serving homes and buildings in Zone 1 has been determined to be safe for unrestricted use. Maui Now. Hawaii News Now.

Another name is added to the list of Maui fatalities.  The Maui Police Department on Tuesday named Buddy Joe Carter as the 61st fatality of the Aug. 8 Lahaina wildfire.  MPD said seven others have been identified but their families had yet to be notified. Star-Advertiser. Maui Now.

Council to consider resolution supporting AMR. Council to consider resolution supporting AMR. The Maui County Council will consider a resolution on Friday that urges the state Department of Health to continue contracting American Medical Response for Maui County’s emergency medical response services.  Maui News.

Kauai

Kauaʻi rain gauges show below average precipitation for month of August. According to the monthly precipitation summary from the National Weather Service forecast office in Honolulu, the Anahola gauge had its lowest August total since 2000, and Mount Waiʻaleʻale and Wainiha had their lowest August totals since 2005. Kauai Now.

Tropical Storm Calvin weakens as it heads toward Hawaii, panel recommends firing Honolulu police in high-speed chase, another hearing on tap for Thirty Meter Telescope, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Weakening Tropical Storm Calvin remains on track toward Hawaii, bringing threat of flooding rains. A Flood Watch has been issued by the National Weather Service from Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon for Maui and Hawaii Island counties. Before 5 a.m. today, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center on Oahu said Tropical Storm Calvin, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph was about 920 miles east of Hilo and 1,120 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, moving west at 18 mph. Hawaii News Now. Star-Advertiser.

Most in Hawaii not prepared for natural disaster, study finds. Most Hawaii households do not have enough water, food or medicine in the event of a natural disaster, despite what they might think, a recent study by University of Hawaii researchers has found. Star-Advertiser.

Congressional delegation tours Hawaii and Pacific allies. Hawaii’s first-term U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda joined a contingent of lawmakers in June for a tour of Oahu, Guam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan and Okinawa as Congress prepares to lay out its priorities amid geopolitical tensions. Star-Advertiser.

This Group Is Betting On Shared Housing As A Path Forward For Hawaii Seniors. Programs matching senior homeowners with roommates are growing in popularity across the country. Can a similar effort succeed in Hawaii? Civil Beat.

Hawai‘i Gov. Green touts successes to United Nations despite missing most state targets. Hawai‘i Gov. Josh Green spoke at the United Nations headquarters this week to highlight the state’s successes in environmental and housing goals. The newly released report he referenced, however, tells a far bleaker story. Garden Island.

Nonnative invasives poised to dominate Hawaii forests. It’s widely known that nonnative trees are a growing presence in Hawaii’s forests. A new study, however, suggests that the invasion has progressed much further than previously believed. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii cesspools exist in wealthy as well as rural neighborhoods.  The new, online Hawaii Cesspool Prioritization Tool, launched by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program, in collaboration with the state Health Department, shows a detailed, interactive map of where the state’s highest-priority cesspools are to help plan conversions. Star-Advertiser.

Oahu

HPD Officers Charged In Makaha Crash Should Be Fired, Review Board Concludes. The officers can still appeal and go to arbitration. Honolulu police officers facing criminal charges over an alleged chase in Makaha that resulted in serious injuries to civilians should be fired. That’s the recommendation from a review board made up of assistant and deputy chief. Civil Beat. Hawaii News Now.

Auditor: City Hiring Is Still Falling Short Despite Improvements. A new audit found shortcomings in data collection but Honolulu HR chief says things are getting better. Civil Beat.

Now running, Honolulu Skyline’s operating finances are in doubt. Questions continue over the newly opened rail system’s ability to generate enough paying customers and fare revenue to cover current and future operations and maintenance costs — and the financial ramifications if it doesn’t and who will make up the deficit. Star-Advertiser.

Defueling at Pearl Harbor-Hickam set to commence for remainder of July.  The Hawaii State Department of Health approved Joint Task Force Red Hill’s plan to defuel four fuel-containing surge tanks, Sunday. Hawaii News Now.

Overtourism, illegal moorings a growing concern for popular turtle viewing area off Waikiki. Turtle Canyon is right off Fort DeRussy Beach, which is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving. But a boater says overtourism is keeping many marine animals away. Hawaii News Now.

Pending demolition raises residents’ ire. Unionized hotel workers, tenants’ rights advocates and residents facing eviction from a Moiliili rental complex slated for demolition all appeared last week at Honolulu Hale to object to the lack of truly affordable housing on Oahu. Star-Advertiser.

Complaints swirl at Kakaako state affordable-housing project. A state agency that faltered two years ago paying maintenance fees on a Kakaako affordable-housing complex it partly owns has been barraged with complaints from residents over living conditions. Star-Advertiser.

Stakes are high in deal for high-hazard Oahu dam. A recently enacted Hawaii law prompting the state to acquire an Oahu dam and reservoir has been described as a gift to the state, but the state also may be giving a gift to the property’s multibillion-dollar primary owner that has profited from local land sales in recent years. Star-Advertiser.

DHHL holds groundbreaking for 127 Ewa homes. The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands held a groundbreaking ceremony last week to mark the beginning of construction on Increment II-C of its Ka‘uluokaha‘i housing development in Ewa. Star-Advertiser.

Hawaii Island

Another TMT dispute gets a hearing. Is the stalled Thirty Meter Telescope really under construction? Two years ago, former state Board of Land and Natural Resources Chair Suzanne Case signed off on a request by permit holder University of Hawaii at Hilo allowing the TMT to comply with conservation district use permit general condition No. 4, which required construction to start within two years. Star-Advertiser.

Big Island’s New County Budget Invests In Upgraded Sewage System, Parks And Prosecutors. Officials direct millions of dollars toward deferred maintenance projects and longstanding community concerns. Civil Beat.

A mother’s mission: Lifeguards to be stationed at Kohanaiki following accident that claimed teen’s life. A popular surf spot in West Hawaii will soon be seeing lifeguards thanks in part to a mother who has advocated for them since the death of her teenage daughter last November. West Hawaii Today.

State study aims to boost Banyan Drive.  Banyan Drive may see new life after the state conducts a study of how to improve the ailing area over the next several months. Tribune-Herald.

Maui

 A Maui Rancher Prepares To Lose 3,400 Acres To Conservation. For the state, the purchase was a "huge victory" for the environment. For Brendan Balthazar, it was a devastating loss of agricultural land. Civil Beat.

$22M to help fund two-story TSA checkpoint for Kahului. Second-busiest airport in state has been working to reduce long waits. A $22 million federal grant will help build a new TSA checkpoint at the Kahului Airport that could add as many as six security screening lanes to the second-busiest airport in the state.  Maui News.

Draft permit to reduce ocean pollution from Maui treated wastewater up for review. Environmental groups on Maui are studying a draft permit by Maui County that proposes using more treated water from its Lahaina Wastewater Treatment Plant for irrigation, which would reduce ocean pollution. Maui Now.

Kauai

PMRF hosts ceremony to reinter Native Hawaiian remains. The lineal descendants of iwi kupuna discovered on the grounds of the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) were joined by leadership of the facility during the two-day Ka Mauiki‘iki‘i O Ke Kauwela, or celebration of the summer solstice. Garden Island.

Kaua‘i environmentalists call for Wailua wetland restoration. Environmental activists on Wednesday reiterated their call to revert the lands surrounding the long-dilapidated Coco Palms Resort into wetlands, arguing that natural restoration could help Kaua‘i better combat climate change and its impacts. Garden Island. Kauai Now.